China's Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a foot-and-mouth outbreak involving 18 heads of cattle, in the northwestern Gansu Province.

The affected cattle on an animal farm in Jingtai County were diagnosed with Asia Type One FMD by the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Friday after they showed signs of illness on January 28, said a ministry statement.

The ministry said the outbreak was under control, with the contagious areas cordoned off and disinfected.

A total of 423 cattle and 117 sheep in the contagious areas had been culled. Other livestock at risk had been vaccinated.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2007)